Osborne Announces Change in Men's Basketball Program

Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne announced on Friday that he intends to make a change in the leadership of the Husker men's basketball program.

Osborne announced that Doc Sadler would not be retained for the 2012-13 campaign after six seasons as the Huskers' head coach.

"I appreciate all of the efforts of Doc Sadler and his coaching staff," Osborne said. "Doc has worked hard, has great integrity and has been nothing but positive through a difficult season. Doc and I both felt this season could be his best with an experienced team returning, and with new facilities we could start moving into a brighter era for Nebraska basketball. However, injuries, a difficult schedule and competing in a new conference has made the season even more difficult.

"Unfortunately, I feel the program has lost momentum which makes recruiting and fan support more problematic, thus the change.

"Having been a coach, I realize more than most how difficult coaching can be. I consider Doc to be a good friend and a good coach, and he has been a great representative of the University of Nebraska. Since I am ultimately responsible for the athletic department, there is no need to look further than me to assign blame for a disappointing season. I wish for everyone's sake, we weren't making this announcement today."

Sadler completed his sixth season with Nebraska on Thursday evening with a 79-61 loss to Purdue in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament. Sadler compiled a 101-89 record in his six seasons at the helm, including a 12-18 record in 2011-12. Sadler's 101 wins at Nebraska are fourth all-time at the school.

Sadler guided Nebraska to three postseason appearances, with the Huskers advancing to the NIT in 2008, 2009 and 2011. His 2009 team finished Big 12 play with an 8-8 league record, the Huskers' best conference mark in a decade, and his 2008 team posted a 20-13 record, giving NU its first 20-win campaign since 1999.

Sadler came to Nebraska after two seasons as the head coach at UTEP, where he compiled a 48-18 record in two seasons with the Miners. He was hired at Nebraska in August of 2006.